HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced net sales and earnings for the third quarter ended September 29, 2024 and updated its 2024 net sales and earnings outlook.

"We believe in the resiliency of our snacking categories and the strength of our brands," said Michele Buck, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer. "While year-to-date results have been affected by historically high cocoa prices and a challenging consumer environment, we are laser-focused on controlling what we can and are acting with immediacy to deliver value to customers, consumers and shareholders. Our priorities are to drive top-line and market share growth by winning in-store with key customers, expanding our chocolate portfolio, accelerating sweets, and maximizing our seasonal strength."

Third-Quarter 2024 Financial Results Summary¹

• Consolidated net sales of $2,987.5 million, a decrease of 1.4%.
• Organic, constant currency net sales decreased 1.0%.
• Reported net income of $446.3 million, or $2.20 per share-diluted, a decrease of 12.7%. 
• Adjusted earnings per share-diluted of $2.34, a decrease of 10.0%.

2024 Full-Year Financial Outlook

The Company is reducing its net sales growth, reported earnings per share and adjusted earnings per share outlook for the year.

The Company also expects:

• An overall economic tax outlook that is relatively unchanged but reflects higher investment in tax credits and a lower tax rate versus the previous outlook:
  • A reported and adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 11%;
  • Other expense, which primarily reflects the write-down of equity investments that qualify for a tax credit, of approximately $260 million to $270 million;
• Interest expense of approximately $170 million, reflecting a higher interest rate environment;
• Capital expenditures of approximately $575 million to $600 million, driven by core confection capacity expansion and continued investments in a digital infrastructure; and
• Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative savings of approximately $100 million.

Below is a reconciliation of current projected 2024 and full-year 2023 earnings per share-diluted calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share-diluted:

2024 projected earnings per share-diluted, as presented above, does not include the impact of mark-to-market gains and losses on our commodity derivative contracts that are reflected within corporate unallocated expense in segment results until the related inventory is sold since we are not able to forecast the impact of the market changes.

Third-Quarter 2024 Components of Net Sales Growth

A reconciliation between reported net sales growth rates and constant currency net sales growth rates, along with the contribution from net price realization and volume, is provided below:

The Company presents certain percentage changes in net sales on a constant currency basis, which excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange. To present this information for historical periods, current period net sales for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average monthly exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, rather than at the actual average monthly exchange rates in effect during the current period of the current fiscal year. As a result, the foreign currency impact is equal to the current year results in local currencies multiplied by the change in the average foreign currency exchange rate between the current fiscal period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.

Third-Quarter 2024 Consolidated Results 

Consolidated net sales decreased 1.4% to $2,987.5 million in the third quarter of 2024. Organic, constant currency net sales decreased 1.0%, as net price realization of approximately 2 points was more than offset by decreased volume across segments and the lap of planned inventory increases within the North America Salty Snacks segment ahead of the ERP system implementation in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Reported gross margin was 41.3% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 44.9% in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of 360 basis points driven by higher commodity costs, unfavorable input cost timing, fixed cost deleverage, and unfavorable mix that more than offset net price realization, productivity gains, and derivative mark-to-market gains. Adjusted gross margin was 40.3% in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 460 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2023, as higher commodity costs, unfavorable input cost timing, fixed cost deleverage, and unfavorable mix more than offset price realization and productivity gains.

Selling, marketing and administrative expenses decreased 5.2% in the third quarter of 2024 versus the third quarter of 2023, driven by reduced advertising and related consumer marketing expenses, lower compensation and benefit costs and fewer capability and technology investments versus the prior year. Advertising and related consumer marketing expenses decreased 0.6% in the third quarter of 2024 versus the same period last year, as efficiencies in consumer marketing related expenses in North America Confectionery were partially offset by increases in North America Salty Snacks and International. Selling, marketing and administrative expenses, excluding advertising and related consumer marketing, decreased 7.5% versus the third quarter of 2023 driven by reduced compensation and benefit costs and fewer capability and technology investments versus the prior year.

Third quarter 2024 reported operating profit was $613.2 million, a decrease of 16.7% versus the third quarter of 2023, resulting in a reported operating profit margin of 20.5%, a decrease of 380 basis points versus the prior year period.  Adjusted operating profit of $654.0 million decreased 13.2% versus the third quarter of 2023. This resulted in an adjusted operating profit margin of 21.9%, a decline of 300 basis points versus the third quarter of 2023. Decreases in both reported and adjusted operating profit and profit margin were driven by higher commodity costs, unfavorable input cost timing, fixed cost deleverage, and unfavorable mix that more than offset price realization, productivity gains, cost saving initiatives, and reduced compensation and benefit costs.

The reported effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2024 was 14.0%, a decrease of 660 basis points versus the third quarter of 2023. The adjusted effective tax rate was 15.2%, a decrease of 520 basis points versus the third quarter of 2023. Both the reported and adjusted effective tax rate decreases were driven by an increase in renewable energy tax credits versus the year-ago period.

The Company's third-quarter 2024 results, as prepared in accordance with GAAP, included items positively impacting comparability of $40.8 million, or $0.14 per share-diluted. For the third quarter of 2023, items positively impacting comparability totaled $17.5 million, or $0.08 per share-diluted.

The following table presents a summary of items impacting comparability in each period (see Appendix I for additional information):

Segment performance for the third quarter of 2024 versus the prior year period is detailed below. See the table on components of net sales growth and the schedule of supplementary information within this press release for additional information on segment net sales and profit.

North America Confectionery

Hershey's North America Confectionery segment net sales were $2,477.3 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 0.8% versus the same period last year. Organic, constant currency net sales increased 0.9% as approximately 2 points of price realization and approximately 1 point of inventory timing benefit more than offset consumption driven volume declines.

Hershey's U.S. candy, mint and gum (CMG) retail takeaway in the multi-outlet plus convenience store channels (MULO+ w/ Convenience²) decreased 2.6% for the 12-week period ended September 29, 2024. Hershey's CMG share declined 97 basis points compared to the prior year. Organic net sales outpaced retail takeaway due to the timing of seasonal shipments versus sell-through, as well as the timing of shipments related to retailer inventory replenishment.

The North America Confectionery segment reported segment income of $724.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 14.5% versus the prior year period, resulting in a segment margin of 29.3% in the quarter, a decrease of 520 basis points. Segment income declines were driven by higher commodity costs, unfavorable input cost timing, fixed cost deleverage, and unfavorable mix, which more than offset price realization, productivity initiative savings and efficiencies in non-media marketing investment.

North America Salty Snacks

Hershey's North America Salty Snacks segment net sales were $291.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 15.5% versus the same period last year. Volume declined approximately 17 points, of which approximately 13 points related to lapping planned inventory increases ahead of the ERP system implementation in the fourth quarter of 2023. Execution-driven shipment delays into the fourth quarter and retailer inventory reductions amounted to an incremental mid-single-digit headwind. Excluding these inventory and timing impacts, the base business grew low-single-digits, driven by approximately 2 points of price realization.

Hershey's U.S. salty snack retail takeaway for the 12-week period ended September 29, 2024 in MULO+ w/ Convenience² increased 2.8% versus the prior year period. SkinnyPop ready-to-eat popcorn takeaway declined 5.5%, reflecting continued category softness and the planned movement of a large promotional program into the fourth quarter. SkinnyPop ready-to-eat share declined 62 basis points in the quarter. Dot's Homestyle Pretzels retail sales increased 31.1% in the quarter, resulting in a 443-basis point pretzel category share gain. 

North America Salty Snacks segment income was $54.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 5.9% versus the third quarter of 2023, resulting in a segment margin of 18.5%, an increase of 190 basis points versus the prior year period. Segment income declines were driven by lower sales, while margin expansion was driven by productivity initiatives and the lapping of product removal costs in the prior year period, which more than offset higher brand investment.

International

Third quarter 2024 net sales for Hershey's International segment decreased 3.9% versus the same period last year to $218.4 million. Organic, constant currency net sales increased 0.2% driven by price realization of approximately 1 point. Volume declined approximately 1% reflecting higher competitive activity in Brazil and ongoing market softness in Mexico, in part offset by growth in Europe and Latin America.

The International segment reported a $14.2 million profit in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting a decrease of $17.5 million versus the prior year period driven by reduced sales, higher commodity costs and unfavorable mix. This resulted in a segment margin of 6.5%, a decrease of 740 basis points versus the prior year period.

Unallocated Corporate Expense

Hershey's unallocated corporate expense in the third quarter of 2024 was $139.0 million, a decrease of $44.2 million, or 24.1%, versus the same period of 2023. This decrease was driven by lower compensation and benefit costs and reduced capability and technology investments related to the upgrade of the Company's ERP system.

Live Webcast

At approximately 7 a.m. (Eastern time) today, Hershey will post a pre-recorded management discussion of its third-quarter 2024 results and business update to its website at www.thehersheycompany.com/investors. In addition, at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time) today, the Company will host a live question and answer session with investors and financial analysts. Details to access this call are available on the Company's website.

Note: In this release, for the third quarter of 2024, Hershey references income measures that are not in accordance with GAAP because they exclude certain items impacting comparability, including gains and losses associated with mark-to-market commodity derivatives, business realignment activities and acquisition and integration-related activities. The Company refers to these income measures as "adjusted" or "non-GAAP" financial measures throughout this release. These non-GAAP financial measures are used in evaluating results of operations for internal purposes and are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with GAAP. Rather, the Company believes exclusion of such items provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this release to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income is provided below.

In the assessment of our results, we review and discuss the following financial metrics that are derived from the reported and non-GAAP financial measures presented above:

Appendix I

Details of the charges included in GAAP results, as summarized in the press release (above), are as follows:

Derivative mark-to-market (gains) losses: The mark-to-market (gains) losses on commodity derivatives are recorded as unallocated and excluded from adjusted results until such time as the related inventory is sold, at which time the corresponding (gains) losses are reclassified from unallocated to segment income. Since we often purchase commodity contracts to price inventory requirements in future years, we make this adjustment to facilitate the year-over-year comparison of cost of sales on a basis that matches the derivative gains and losses with the underlying economic exposure being hedged for the period.

Business realignment activities: We periodically undertake restructuring and cost reduction activities as part of ongoing efforts to enhance long-term profitability. During the first quarter of 2024, we commenced the Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative to improve supply chain and manufacturing-related spend, optimize selling, general and administrative expenses, leverage new technology and business models to further simplify and automate processes, and generate long-term savings. During the third quarter of 2024, business realignment charges related primarily to third-party costs supporting the design and implementation of the new organizational structure, as well as severance and employee benefit costs. During the fourth quarter of 2020, we commenced the International Optimization Program to streamline resources and investments in select international markets, including the optimization of our China operating model to improve efficiencies and provide a more sustainable and simplified base going forward. During the third quarter of 2023, we recognized a benefit in business realignment activities. This program was completed in 2023.

Acquisition and integration-related activities: During the third quarter of 2024, we incurred integration-related costs for the acquisition of two manufacturing plants from Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing, Inc. ("Weaver") and the integration of the 2021 acquisitions of Dot's Pretzels, LLC ("Dot's") and Pretzels Inc. ("Pretzels") into our North America Salty Snacks segment. During the third quarter of 2023, we incurred costs related to the acquisition of two manufacturing plants from Weaver, the integration of the 2021 acquisitions of Dot's and Pretzels into our North America Salty Snacks segment and costs related to building and upgrading our new ERP system for implementation across our North America Salty Snacks segment in the fourth quarter of 2023. 

Tax effect of all adjustments: This line item reflects the aggregate tax effect of all pre-tax adjustments reflected in the preceding line items of the applicable table. The tax effect for each adjustment is determined by calculating the tax impact of the adjustment on the Company's quarterly effective tax rate, unless the nature of the item and/or the tax jurisdiction in which the item has been recorded requires application of a specific tax rate or tax treatment, in which case the tax effect of such item is estimated by applying such specific tax rate or tax treatment.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to our 2024 Full-year Financial Outlook and other statements regarding our business outlook and financial performance. Many of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "intend," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "strategy," "target" and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like "could," "may," "might," "should," "will" and "would," among others. These statements are made based upon current expectations that are subject to risk and uncertainty. Because actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company's securities. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: disruptions or inefficiencies in our supply chain due to the loss or disruption of essential manufacturing or supply elements or other factors; issues or concerns related to the quality and safety of our products, ingredients or packaging, human and workplace rights, and other environmental, social or governance matters; changes in raw material and other costs, along with the availability of adequate supplies of raw materials and the Company's ability to successfully hedge against volatility in raw material pricing; the Company's ability to successfully execute business continuity plans to address changes in consumer preferences and the broader economic and operating environment; selling price increases, including volume declines associated with pricing elasticity; market demand for our new and existing products; increased marketplace competition; failure to successfully execute and integrate acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures; changes in governmental laws and regulations, including taxes; political, economic, and/or financial market conditions, including with respect to inflation, rising interest rates, slower growth or recession, and other events beyond our control such as the impacts on the business arising from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; risks and uncertainties related to our international operations; disruptions, failures or security breaches of our information technology infrastructure and that of our customers and partners (including our suppliers); our ability to hire, engage and retain a talented global workforce, our ability to realize expected cost savings and operating efficiencies associated with strategic initiatives or restructuring programs; complications with the design, implementation or usage of our new enterprise resource planning system, including the ability to support post-implementation efforts and maintain enhancements, new features or modifications; and such other matters as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

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SOURCE The Hershey Company